My answer: Absolutely!...given the circumstances of the site.
I believe that facebook has a great venue for libraries to build web presence and provide services through answering questions or connecting with users' concerns. Myspace, on the other hand, doesn't have me as convinced as a proper place to build a library presence. This is an example of what I think of as a bad, might-as-well-not-even-be-there-because-you're-embarrassing-yourself myspace page as built by a library. They have clearly used the features available to them, but in my opinion, that's not saying a lot. Myspace has not evolved to a place that is easy to personalize; shouldn't libraries be able to create a page as an organization as they can on facebook? To have to put an age, relationship status, and whether you smoke or drink is quite silly to me. I don't really know enough about myspace to say whether these features can be modified and this library simply didn't do it, but I do not think libraries have the proper venue to connect via myspace.
One could argue that any place users are present, libraries should be there as well. I would say this is false. If there is not an easy way for a library to look organized and respectable, they probably should not try to make their presence known on that site.
Facebook, on the other hand, allows libraries to make a page that is different from the ones individuals create for themselves. In this example, the Multnomah County Library does a great job of looking professional, organized, and giving contact information, photos, and status updates about events.
If myspace were to evolve and develop some of its features to be more organization friendly, it could go a long way in allowing libraries to be where their users are, but for now, stick to facebook all you libraries of the world.
The problem with that is, as I examine articles and statistics here, is that non-affluent and younger users are more likely to be on MySpace than on Facebook. Sticking to Facebook ignores a large number of library patrons. There are successful examples of MySpace profiles, and though it may not be preferable to librarians to use, in most cases it is still reflective of the community they serve.
ReplyDeleteI personally no longer pay attention to my MySpace profile, but if I worked in a library, especially as a YA librarian, I'd make sure the library had a profile.
Patricia
I think MySpace still has its place, for the time being. Use is dwindling among the general population; I think in part it's because it seems to be more difficult for organizations to reach out to their users.
ReplyDeleteYikes. That MySpace page is awful. Just because it's MySpace doesn't mean they shouldn't stay professional and try to keep consistent with their branding and create a presentable, user-friendly page. Those colors hurt my eyes!